Tuning fork frequencies.
The common frequencies at a glance
| Hz | Note | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 128 Hz | C (low) | Medical examination of vibration sense |
| 256 Hz | C (middle) | Scientific pitch, teaching, music |
| 432 Hz | A (lowered) | Alternative tuning, ritual use |
| 440 Hz | A | International concert pitch (ISO 16) |
| 512 Hz | C (high) | Hearing tests (Rinne, Weber) |
| 528 Hz | near C (C5 = 523.3 Hz) | Solfeggio sets, alternative use |
The 128 Hz tuning fork
The 128 Hz fork is the most searched tuning fork after the standard A, and it is a medical instrument. Doctors strike it, place the end of the stem on a bony point such as the big toe, and ask whether the patient feels the vibration and when it stops. It is part of the standard examination of the peripheral nerves.
Two points matter if you are looking for one: 128 Hz forks are made for this examination, not for tuning, and the test only means something in the hands of a clinician who knows what to compare it with. It is a diagnostic tool, not a treatment.
The 512 Hz tuning fork
512 Hz is the classic fork for the Rinne and Weber hearing tests, which help a doctor tell apart different kinds of hearing loss. It sits in the range where human hearing is sensitive and rings long enough for the test.
The 440 Hz and 432 Hz tuning forks
440 Hz is the note A that orchestras, tuners and pianos use worldwide, recommended at a conference in London in 1939 and confirmed as ISO 16 in 1975. 432 Hz is an A tuned about a third of a semitone lower, preferred by some musicians and listeners. Read more in our guide 432 Hz vs 440 Hz.
The 528 Hz tuning fork and Solfeggio sets
528 Hz belongs to the so-called Solfeggio frequencies, a set that includes 396, 417, 528, 639, 741 and 852 Hz. They were popularised by Joseph Puleo and Leonard Horowitz in their 1999 book Healing Codes for the Biological Apocalypse and are often said to repair DNA or heal. There is no robust scientific evidence for these claims, and the frequencies do not come from a verified ancient source. As tones they are simply pitches you can enjoy or not.
Why frequency is fixed
A fork's pitch depends on the length and thickness of its prongs and on the stiffness and density of the metal. Shorter, thicker prongs ring higher. Once a steel fork has been tuned, its frequency changes only very slightly, even with temperature. That is its whole point: an exact tone you can rely on.
Questions
Which tuning fork frequency is best?
It depends on the purpose: 440 Hz for tuning, 512 Hz and 128 Hz for medical tests. For personal ritual use there is no best frequency, only the tone you like. Ours is 432 Hz.
Which tuning fork is used for healing?
Tuning forks are used in medicine for diagnosis, not treatment. Claims that specific frequencies heal the body are not supported by robust evidence. If you have health concerns, please see a doctor.
What does Hz mean?
Hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency: one vibration per second. A 440 Hz fork vibrates 440 times per second.